Residents' quest to stop a pending condominium development in their historic, mostly single-family block got a morale boost Monday night from the Oak Park village board. That was all they could do, though, and the residents now seem to be in a race against time.

After seven public meetings and countless hours logged by staff and consultants, the Park District of Oak Park appeared ready to turn a corner in its decision making process for two sites for permanent dog parks in the village last week.

River ForestKaren Morava's new business, the Careful Peach Boutique, isn't exactly off the beaten track. In fact, that's part of her problem. The Careful Peach is so on the beaten track at 11 Harrison St. that most drivers, either in a hurry to get to the Eisenhower Expressway, or turning west off of Austin Boulevard, cruise right past the quaint two-story red brick building housing her business.

For the first time in anyone's memory here at Wednesday Journal, the flowering ornamental pear trees that put on a spectacular display each spring on Oak Park Avenue outside our windows just didn't flower this year. What happened?

Couple of weeks ago, a young fellow knocked on our door of an evening. A snazzy Chem Lawn uniform graced his muscled presence. "You want I should spray chemicals all over your lawn?" he asked, eyeing my fading sod. "No, of course not, you evil-doer. I'm an Oak Parker, I don't believe in chemicals. I'm all natural, can't you see!"

Oak Park and River Forest High School will require regular education teachers to sit in on meetings with parents and special education students as part of the students' Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The River Forest village board appointed nine village residents to serve on an ad hoc committee to study the issue of Home Rule. After board approval of Paris's appointments, Village Administrator Charles Biondo recommended the board set up a meeting as soon as possible to address the new committee members in person regarding their instructions for their work.

Oak Park police are investigating an incident the afternoon of May 2 in which the driver of a 1998 or 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis fired five shots at a man walking on the sidewalk. The man dove to the sidewalk, and the car, containing three men in their early 20s laughing, was last seen heading south bound on Wenonah. Officers searched for expended bullets and didn't find any. They did find five BB holes in a window of a business at 1143 Garfield, however.

Overflow crowds are flocking to the Danza Viva & Wednesday Journal Talent Search 2006 competition as the semi-finals start this week. Of the original 200 singers and dancers who auditioned, only 24 stage-struck contestants are left. This concentration of talent has resulted in venues swamped by spectators.

Forest Park small business in need of Part Time/Assistant Bookkeeper. Individual must be able to assist the Sr. Accountant with A/R, A/P, payroll, account reconciliation, report generation, and filing. Individual should have a good personality and...